Jesus of Nazareth “In the world you will have trouble but take courage for I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)
The founder of the Christian religion, revolutionary, leader and a significant prophet within the monotheistic faiths of Islam and Judaism; Jesus of Nazareth was born, (with the Hebrew name, ‘Yeshua’), a Jew, in 5 B.C. in Bethlehem, Israel, to a Jewish carpenter, named Joseph and his wife, Mary of Nazareth. According to the Church’s teachings, Jesus began his ministry in 27 AD in Israel. However, there is little mentioning of Jesus’ life from when he was twelve and was found preaching in a temple, (Mark 11:11), to the period of time shortly before his crucifixion, in Jerusalem, in 30 AD; this missing period Jesus’ life known as Jesus’ “lost years”. Jesus’ teachings of love, justice and equality have arguably influenced other great leaders and thinkers of the modern and ancient world; for example, Gandhi and Marin Luther King. As a historical figure, Jesus technically led an ordinary life, when compared to his almost revolutionary teachings and previously unparalleled impact.
When looking at a figure as socially, religiously and politically influential as Jesus, the reliability and context of sources must be considered. In relation to Jesus, historical debate surrounds the reliability and accuracy of Biblical and historical accounts, due to the suppression that occurred within the early Christian and Roman communities, as the modern Christian faith preached today is known as the “Roman dogma”. The “dogma” occurred partly as a result of the image of the Roman Empire becoming attached to the Christian religion; following the conversion of Emperor Constantine in 312 A.D. Christian texts, including the “radical” Gnostic Gospels[1], (many of which are a part of the Nag Hammadi Library[2]), and the Dead Sea Scrolls[3], which contained information of the historical Jesus, besides that present in the synoptic gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), were banned; pronounced ‘heretic’. Basis for such bans came from the “wisdom” of certain religious authorities and ecumenical councils, (e.g. the Council of Nicaea, 325 A.D). Such bans caused key texts to be lost to this day. It is speculated that many Gnostic gospels were in fact of an earlier origin than the synoptic gospels. However, such evidence is not concrete and there is no clear consensus amongst the religious community.
Effectively, the Christian religion was almost re-written and much of the first-hand accurate accounts that contrasted with such today’s mainstream teachings were lost. The key teachings and portrayals of Jesus within the Gnostic gospels differ from that of mainstream Christianity; portraying him as a more spiritual being… “If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you”... (Thomas[4], verse 70). While the Jewish communities display differing portrayals. The Talmud states in reference to Jesus: “Yeshu of Nazareth . . . practiced sorcery... beguiled and led astray Israel. Let everyone knowing aught in his defense come and plead for him... they found naught in his defense ... hanged him on the eve of Passover**[5]**." Although this account is evidently biased, negatively impacting its reliability and usefulness, (as Jesus effectively led many Jews to convert to Christianity and he questioned Jewish teachings; particularly the true devotion of certain sects, e.g.the Pharisees), it provides an account that displays a current opinion of him. Furthermore, it provides evidence of his trial....”defense”..... Yet, the account of his death ....hanged”... contrasts with the Biblical account that Jesus was crucified. “But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified”(Matthew 27:25-27). ). However, crucifixion was consistent within the cultural context or Rome, and was commonly used as punishment.
Jesus is the most influential individual in world history, due to his unquestionably significant and presently evident legacy. His teachings and presence have arguably changed the world, due to their effect on major empires, individuals and ideas. For example, his religion became a central focus attached to the Roman Empire, and later upon vast areas of Europe; (in different forms, e.g. Protestantism, Eastern Orthodox etc). Today, his legacy is evident within the media and arts; for example, in film, literature and song, including “The Passion of the Christ//**[6]**//”. Whether Jesus was the ‘Messiah[7]’, or divine, is questionable; however, he was at least an influential prophet, teacher and leader of his time. If one operates under the assumption that Jesus was simply human, then the possibility of the numerous ‘miracles’ associated with Jesus to be myth or legend must be considered; exaggeration of some sort would be both culturally and contextually consistent, as oral tradition was the key way of spreading ideas etc. The Church recognises his humanity; therefore, within a religious context, Jesus was to some extent human. He demonstrated admirable personal qualities to such lengths, that he is the ideal, ultimate source of personal and spiritual inspiration for many; both Christian and non-Christian. For example, he unconditionally displayed love, forgiveness, humility, empathy and understanding. Therefore, if one does not consider him to be a prophet, the divine ‘Messiah’ or an inspirational leader, his legacy can be based upon his humanity, strength and character.
TIMELINE OF JESUS’ LIFE:(click on the image below to see a timeline of Jesus’ life).
[2]A collection of Gnostic scrolls and writings found in the town of Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in 1945, that were translated during the 1970s
[3] Arguably, wwritten by the Essenes: 200 B.C- 68 AD: Jesus’ physical body was not real, his spirit came to him after his baptism; leaving him just before his death
[4] The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas was discovered in its entirety, with segments of its Greek translation, as a part of the Nag Hammadi Library and was most probably written 1st-2nd century AD
[7] –noun 1. the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people. 2. Jesus Christ, regarded by Christians as fulfilling this promise and expectation. John 4:25, 26
NB: Left image: “The Crucifixion” Raphael 1502-1503.
Middle image Jesus Preaching” Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn ca. 1652.
Right Image: “The Ascension” Giotto di Bondone, 1305-1311
“In the world you will have trouble but take courage for I have conquered the world.”
(John 16:33)
The founder of the Christian religion, revolutionary, leader and a significant prophet within the monotheistic faiths of Islam and Judaism; Jesus of Nazareth was born, (with the Hebrew name, ‘Yeshua’), a Jew, in 5 B.C. in Bethlehem, Israel, to a Jewish carpenter, named Joseph and his wife, Mary of Nazareth. According to the Church’s teachings, Jesus began his ministry in 27 AD in Israel. However, there is little mentioning of Jesus’ life from when he was twelve and was found preaching in a temple, (Mark 11:11), to the period of time shortly before his crucifixion, in Jerusalem, in 30 AD; this missing period Jesus’ life known as Jesus’ “lost years”. Jesus’ teachings of love, justice and equality have arguably influenced other great leaders and thinkers of the modern and ancient world; for example, Gandhi and Marin Luther King. As a historical figure, Jesus technically led an ordinary life, when compared to his almost revolutionary teachings and previously unparalleled impact.
When looking at a figure as socially, religiously and politically influential as Jesus, the reliability and context of sources must be considered. In relation to Jesus, historical debate surrounds the reliability and accuracy of Biblical and historical accounts, due to the suppression that occurred within the early Christian and Roman communities, as the modern Christian faith preached today is known as the “Roman dogma”. The “dogma” occurred partly as a result of the image of the Roman Empire becoming attached to the Christian religion; following the conversion of Emperor Constantine in 312 A.D. Christian texts, including the “radical” Gnostic Gospels[1], (many of which are a part of the Nag Hammadi Library[2]), and the Dead Sea Scrolls[3], which contained information of the historical Jesus, besides that present in the synoptic gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), were banned; pronounced ‘heretic’. Basis for such bans came from the “wisdom” of certain religious authorities and ecumenical councils, (e.g. the Council of Nicaea, 325 A.D). Such bans caused key texts to be lost to this day. It is speculated that many Gnostic gospels were in fact of an earlier origin than the synoptic gospels. However, such evidence is not concrete and there is no clear consensus amongst the religious community.
Effectively, the Christian religion was almost re-written and much of the first-hand accurate accounts that contrasted with such today’s mainstream teachings were lost. The key teachings and portrayals of Jesus within the Gnostic gospels differ from that of mainstream Christianity; portraying him as a more spiritual being… “If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you”... (Thomas[4], verse 70). While the Jewish communities display differing portrayals. The Talmud states in reference to Jesus: “Yeshu of Nazareth . . . practiced sorcery... beguiled and led astray Israel. Let everyone knowing aught in his defense come and plead for him... they found naught in his defense ... hanged him on the eve of Passover**[5]**." Although this account is evidently biased, negatively impacting its reliability and usefulness, (as Jesus effectively led many Jews to convert to Christianity and he questioned Jewish teachings; particularly the true devotion of certain sects, e.g.the Pharisees), it provides an account that displays a current opinion of him. Furthermore, it provides evidence of his trial....”defense”..... Yet, the account of his death ....hanged”... contrasts with the Biblical account that Jesus was crucified. “But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified” (Matthew 27:25-27). ). However, crucifixion was consistent within the cultural context or Rome, and was commonly used as punishment.
Jesus is the most influential individual in world history, due to his unquestionably significant and presently evident legacy. His teachings and presence have arguably changed the world, due to their effect on major empires, individuals and ideas. For example, his religion became a central focus attached to the Roman Empire, and later upon vast areas of Europe; (in different forms, e.g. Protestantism, Eastern Orthodox etc). Today, his legacy is evident within the media and arts; for example, in film, literature and song, including “The Passion of the Christ//**[6]**//”. Whether Jesus was the ‘Messiah[7]’, or divine, is questionable; however, he was at least an influential prophet, teacher and leader of his time. If one operates under the assumption that Jesus was simply human, then the possibility of the numerous ‘miracles’ associated with Jesus to be myth or legend must be considered; exaggeration of some sort would be both culturally and contextually consistent, as oral tradition was the key way of spreading ideas etc. The Church recognises his humanity; therefore, within a religious context, Jesus was to some extent human. He demonstrated admirable personal qualities to such lengths, that he is the ideal, ultimate source of personal and spiritual inspiration for many; both Christian and non-Christian. For example, he unconditionally displayed love, forgiveness, humility, empathy and understanding. Therefore, if one does not consider him to be a prophet, the divine ‘Messiah’ or an inspirational leader, his legacy can be based upon his humanity, strength and character.
TIMELINE OF JESUS’ LIFE: (click on the image below to see a timeline of Jesus’ life).
[1] 2nd -4th century AD
[2]A collection of Gnostic scrolls and writings found in the town of Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in 1945, that were translated during the 1970s
[3] Arguably, wwritten by the Essenes: 200 B.C- 68 AD: Jesus’ physical body was not real, his spirit came to him after his baptism; leaving him just before his death
[4] The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas was discovered in its entirety, with segments of its Greek translation, as a part of the Nag Hammadi Library and was most probably written 1st-2nd century AD
[5](Babylonia Sanhedrin 43a). -"Eve of Passover."
[6] (2004)
[7] –noun 1. the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people. 2. Jesus Christ, regarded by Christians as fulfilling this promise and expectation. John 4:25, 26
NB: Left image: “The Crucifixion” Raphael 1502-1503.
Middle image Jesus Preaching” Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn ca. 1652.
Right Image: “The Ascension” Giotto di Bondone, 1305-1311